Ranchi: In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Jharkhand government has transferred 15 IAS officers, including newly promoted officers, with several key appointments made across various departments.
Among the notable changes, 2000 batch IAS officer Pooja Singhal, who was awaiting posting, has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Information Technology and e-Governance. She will also hold the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jharkhand Communication Network Limited (JCNL).
However, the appointment comes amid controversy, as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a petition before the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court seeking a directive to prevent any posting for Singhal. She is facing trial in connection with the MGNREGA scam and a money laundering case. The court is expected to announce its verdict on the petition on February 21, 2025.
The reshuffle also includes other significant changes. The Planning and Development Department has been removed from the portfolio of Principal Secretary and 1996 batch IAS officer Mast Ram Meena, who will now focus solely on the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.
Additionally, Secretary of Transport Department and 2005 batch IAS officer Kripanand Jha has been appointed as Secretary for ST/SC, Minorities, and Backward Class Department, while Vipra Bhal, an IAS officer of 2006 batch and previously the Secretary of Information Technology and E-Governance, has been moved to the Transport Department.
Other notable changes include:
- Arwa Rajkamal, Secretary of Building Construction, has been given the additional charge of Secretary of Mining and Geological Department, Industry, and Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation.
- Jitendra Kumar, the current Secretary of Mining, has been appointed Secretary of Labour, Employment, and Training.
- Mukesh Kumar, the current Labour Secretary, has been transferred to Secretary of Planning and Development.
- Rajeshwari B, who was awaiting posting, has been made Special Secretary in the Finance Department.
- Saurav Kumar Bhuvania, Joint Secretary (Finance), has been appointed Managing Director of Jharkhand Exploration and Mining Corporation Ltd.
- Vijay Kumar Sinha: Excise Commissioner of Jharkhand, also Managing Director of Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation.
- Preeti Rani: Joint Secretary of Industries Department.
- Rajesh Prasad: Director of Secondary Education.
Among the newly appointed IAS officers, Kanchan Singh has been posted as CEO of Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society, Dhananjaya Kumar Singh as Joint Secretary of Finance, Sita Pushpa as Joint Secretary of the School Education and Literacy Department, and Vijay Kumar Sinha as Excise Commissioner.
